The year in tech 2012

December 7, 2012 5:00 PM

Photo: John Minchillo

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It has been another crazy year for tech, with executive shakeups, big-bucks lawsuits, out-of-this-world startups, and, of course, piles of new gadgets. We'll kick off on Jan. 13, 2012, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where Qualcomm raised the bar on goofy by having the JabbaWockeez dance crew perform with Qualcomm Snapdrogan-equipped tablets during a keynote address by Chairman and CEO Paul Jacobs. less

It has been another crazy year for tech, with executive shakeups, big-bucks lawsuits, out-of-this-world startups, and, of course, piles of new gadgets. We'll kick off on Jan. 13, 2012, at the Consumer ... more

Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

It has been another crazy year for tech, with executive shakeups,... Photo-2054095.53393 - Connecticut Post

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Also in January, struggling Yahoo named former PayPal President Scott Thompson its new CEO. On May 3, Yahoo confirmed shareholder and New York hedge fund
manager Daniel Loeb's allegation that Thompson had misrepresented his qualifications. less

Also in January, struggling Yahoo named former PayPal President Scott Thompson its new CEO. On May 3, Yahoo confirmed shareholder and New York hedge fund
manager Daniel Loeb's allegation that Thompson had ... more

Photo: Paul Sakuma

Also in January, struggling Yahoo named former PayPal President... Photo-2900081.53393 - Connecticut Post

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Thompson resigned on May 13, and Ross Levinsohn, Yahoo's global head of media, stepped in as interim CEO.

Thompson resigned on May 13, and Ross Levinsohn, Yahoo's global head of media, stepped in as interim CEO.

On July 16, Yahoo named Google executive Marissa Mayer its new CEO. One tidbit that got lots of attention was that Mayer was expecting her first child (her son was born Sept. 30).

On July 16, Yahoo named Google executive Marissa Mayer its new CEO. One tidbit that got lots of attention was that Mayer was expecting her first child (her son was born Sept. 30).

Photo: David Paul Morris

On July 16, Yahoo named Google executive Marissa Mayer its new CEO.... Photo-3533181.53393 - Connecticut Post

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On April 24, tech execs Peter Diamandis, Eric Anderson and Chris Lewicki announced Planetary Resources, a new venture that aims to mine asteroids. Sounds crazy, but the big-name execs have heavy backers, including former Microsoft chief software architect Charles Simonyi, Google's Larry Page and Eric Schmidt, filmmaker and explorer James Cameron, and Ross Perot Jr. less

On April 24, tech execs Peter Diamandis, Eric Anderson and Chris Lewicki announced Planetary Resources, a new venture that aims to mine asteroids. Sounds crazy, but the big-name execs have heavy backers, ... more

Meanwhile, private companies pushed forward with plans to carry cargo and, eventually, astronauts into orbit. A Space X Dragon capsule docked with the International Space Station on May 25. The first cargo delivery was in October. less

Meanwhile, private companies pushed forward with plans to carry cargo and, eventually, astronauts into orbit. A Space X Dragon capsule docked with the International Space Station on May 25. The first cargo ... more

On Oct. 14, 2012, Austrian pilot Felix Baumgartner demonstrated an unusual way to return from the edge of space, jumping out of a balloon from a record 24 miles above the Earth's surface and free-falling faster than the speed of sound. less

On Oct. 14, 2012, Austrian pilot Felix Baumgartner demonstrated an unusual way to return from the edge of space, jumping out of a balloon from a record 24 miles above the Earth's surface and free-falling faster ... more

Back on earth, T-Mobile USA had to figure out what to do after its merger deal with AT&T fell through because of antitrust concerns. On Oct. 1, parent company Deutsche Telekom announced it was in talks to buy smaller MetroPCS Communications. less

Back on earth, T-Mobile USA had to figure out what to do after its merger deal with AT&T fell through because of antitrust concerns. On Oct. 1, parent company Deutsche Telekom announced it was in talks to buy ... more

Photo: Mark Lennihan

Back on earth, T-Mobile USA had to figure out what to do after its... Photo-3540729.53393 - Connecticut Post

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Talk that Sprint Nextel might make a competing offer for MetroPCS was complicated by its Oct. 15 announcement that it was selling a 70 percent stake to Japan's Softbank.

Talk that Sprint Nextel might make a competing offer for MetroPCS was complicated by its Oct. 15 announcement that it was selling a 70 percent stake to Japan's Softbank.

Turning to tablets, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the third-generation iPad on March 7, in San Francisco. Apple touted the device's new Retina display, A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5
megapixel iSight camera, capable of taking 1080p HD video, advanced
Wi-Fi and 4G. less

Turning to tablets, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the third-generation iPad on March 7, in San Francisco. Apple touted the device's new Retina display, A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5
megapixel ... more

But fans lined up for it anyway. Photo-3683681.53393 - Connecticut Post

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One Apple product that users have loudly panned recently is iTunes. The company aimed to change that on Sept. 12, rolling out an overhauled version that promised "a dramatically simpler and cleaner interface" and iCloud integration. less

One Apple product that users have loudly panned recently is iTunes. The company aimed to change that on Sept. 12, rolling out an overhauled version that promised "a dramatically simpler and cleaner interface" ... more

Microsoft released Windows 8, the latest version of its flagship operating system, on Oct. 26. It's the biggest change since Windows '95, featuring an interface built for touch screens. Critical reception has been mixed, and it remains to be seen how it does in the marketplace. less

Microsoft released Windows 8, the latest version of its flagship operating system, on Oct. 26. It's the biggest change since Windows '95, featuring an interface built for touch screens. Critical reception has ... more

Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft released Windows 8, the latest version of its flagship... Photo-2563407.53393 - Connecticut Post

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Meanwhile, Microsoft continued its latest effort to gain a foothold in the smartphone market this year. On Sept. 5, CEO Steve Ballmer, left, and Nokia President and CEO Stephen Elop jointly introduced Nokia's Lumia 920, the first phone equipped with Microsoft's Windows Phone 8. less

Meanwhile, Microsoft continued its latest effort to gain a foothold in the smartphone market this year. On Sept. 5, CEO Steve Ballmer, left, and Nokia President and CEO Stephen Elop jointly introduced Nokia's ... more

Microsoft made a bigger splash on June 18, when CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the Surface tablet, signaling the company's move into tablet computing with its own device, rather than its traditional model of relying on partners. The basic Surface features a 10.6-inch 16:9 HD screen, integrated kickstand, Windows RT, two 720p HD cameras, two microphones and stereo speakers, for $499. Snap-on Touch and Type keyboard covers cost $120 and $130, respectively. less

Microsoft made a bigger splash on June 18, when CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the Surface tablet, signaling the company's move into tablet computing with its own device, rather than its traditional model of ... more

Photo: Damian Dovarganes

Microsoft made a bigger splash on June 18, when CEO Steve Ballmer... Photo-3086375.53393 - Connecticut Post

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Microsoft stores did draw lines for the Surface, but sales have so far been disappointing.

Microsoft stores did draw lines for the Surface, but sales have so far been disappointing.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Microsoft stores did draw lines for the Surface, but sales have so... Photo-3649579.53393 - Connecticut Post

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Microsoft followed up the initial Surface with a Pro version, due out early next year. It features Windows 8, a faster processor and more memory. But it's also thicker, heavier and way more expensive, starting at $899. less

Microsoft followed up the initial Surface with a Pro version, due out early next year. It features Windows 8, a faster processor and more memory. But it's also thicker, heavier and way more expensive, ... more

Microsoft followed up the initial Surface with a Pro version, due... Photo-3672818.53393 - Connecticut Post

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In the gaming world, Nintendo released details on Sept. 13 of its new HD Wii U system, which features a touch-screen GamePad controller.

In the gaming world, Nintendo released details on Sept. 13 of its new HD Wii U system, which features a touch-screen GamePad controller.

Photo: Jae C. Hong

In the gaming world, Nintendo released details on Sept. 13 of its... Photo-3746125.53393 - Connecticut Post

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Fans lined up to buy the first Wii U systems at a midnight launch event at Nintendo World in New York on Sunday Nov. 18. But Microsoft's Xbox has continued to rule the market.

Fans lined up to buy the first Wii U systems at a midnight launch event at Nintendo World in New York on Sunday Nov. 18. But Microsoft's Xbox has continued to rule the market.

Photo: Anders Krusberg, HOEP

Fans lined up to buy the first Wii U systems at a midnight launch... Photo-3764842.53393 - Connecticut Post

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We'll start our final segment, on social media, with Facebook's long-awaited initial public offering on May 18. The share price debuted at $38 and then fell by more than half before starting to rebound. Now, investors are suing, claiming the company misrepresented its financial condition before the IPO. less

We'll start our final segment, on social media, with Facebook's long-awaited initial public offering on May 18. The share price debuted at $38 and then fell by more than half before starting to rebound. Now, ... more

On Nov. 21, Facebook proposed doing away with a system that allows users to vote on changes to its privacy policies. Many users expressed outrage, although commentators pointed out that it was essentially impossible to meet the required voting participation requirement anyway. less

On Nov. 21, Facebook proposed doing away with a system that allows users to vote on changes to its privacy policies. Many users expressed outrage, although commentators pointed out that it was essentially ... more

Photo: Joerg Koch, Associated Press

On Nov. 21, Facebook proposed doing away with a system that allows... Photo-3837011.53393 - Connecticut Post

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Over on Twitter, Donald Trump had a public meltdown after President Barack Obama won re-election on Nov. 6, writing, among other things: "We should march on Washington and stop this travesty," "Lets (sic) fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice!" and "This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy!" less

Over on Twitter, Donald Trump had a public meltdown after President Barack Obama won re-election on Nov. 6, writing, among other things: "We should march on Washington and stop this travesty," "Lets (sic) fight ... more

Photo: Twitter

Over on Twitter, Donald Trump had a public meltdown after President... Photo-3859614.53393 - Connecticut Post

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President Obama had a better day. Not only did he win, but his victory message on Twitter became the most popular tweet ever, topping one from singer Justin Bieber.

President Obama had a better day. Not only did he win, but his victory message on Twitter became the most popular tweet ever, topping one from singer Justin Bieber.

Photo: Lionel Bonaventure, AFP/Getty Images

President Obama had a better day. Not only did he win, but his... Photo-3715818.53393 - Connecticut Post